Eco Minute 13:30

BULLETIN 29 November 1:30 pm

Good afternoon, here is your Eco Minute:

# Charge, formerly known as Zero Carbon Charge, has launched its first off-grid electric vehicle charging station in Wolmaransstad, North West. The station is part of a national network of 120 solar-powered facilities planned across South Africa’s major highways. It features six direct current fast-charging points and two alternating current charging points, enabling 25-minute vehicle charging. Charge says it aims to support the country’s transition to electric vehicles, with landowners earning five-percent of the revenue. The project is backed by local and provincial governments.

# Pick n Pay, in partnership with Imagined Earth and Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa, has added 16 new reverse vending machines in Gauteng, totaling 30 nationwide. The machines, integrated with the Smart Shopper programme, reward users for recycling plastic bottles, cans, and more. According to the supermarket chain, customers earn points by scanning barcodes and linking them via the Imagined Earth app. Since 2018, over 480-thousand items have been recycled through this initiative, promoting sustainability while encouraging eco-friendly habits.

# And finally: Around 12-thousand deaths in New Delhi, India, every year can be specifically linked to air pollution. This is according to the State of Global Air Report 2024. The report states that 464 children under five die daily in India due to air pollution, surpassing tobacco, and diabetes as the leading cause of death. The World Bank earlier this year said India needs to take action at the sub-national level for effective air pollution control strategies. Air pollution accounted for 8.1-million deaths globally in 2021 alone.

Stay tuned for more news………….